Feinstein urges charges for Al Qaeda bomb plot leaker

5/13/12 9:58 AM EDT

Charges should be filed against the person who leaked information about an Al Qaeda plot where an explosive device was to have been detonated on a U.S.-bound flight, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said Sunday.

"What this does, is it certainly jeopardizes the asset. It certainly jeopardizes our ability to relate to other countries, for other countries to help us," Feinstein said on "Fox News Sunday." "The leak really did endanger sources and methods and the leak, I think, has to be prosecuted."

"The investigation is being done," she said. "Hopefully, it can be concluded and criminal charges should go to the Department of Justice."

Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, said a "big" investigation is necessary to determine who leaked the bomb plot to The Associated Press. It broke the story Monday afternoon, but had held the story for several days at the urging of the White House and CIA.